Survival Guide to South Africa

---

As you would expect, our journey started with a slight hiccup. During check-in at Melbourne international airport, where we had to board our non-stop flight to Johannesburg, we were asked about our on-ward travel plans from South Africa. As it happened we had only booked a one-way flight, wanting to keep our options open after the world cup. The lady at the check-in desk informed us that, due to the aforementioned sporting event, regulations had become more strict and we needed to produce proof of our onward journey out of South Africa. Luckily we had an hour and a half before boarding, enough time to book a ticket and have a nice pre-flight breakfast. We'd been up since 4am and hadn't eaten, having had to take our cholera vaccine earlier that morning on an empty stomach. Anyway, ticket first. There were internet terminals at the airport but no means of printing out the ticket. Being 8am the airport travel bureau was closed, which left us in a bit of a pickle. My thoughts returned to my empty stomach, but according to Kam there were more pressing matters at hand. In the end we booked a bus to Botswana online and dragged one of the check-in ladies over to the internet terminals, which luckily were mercifully close to the check-in desks. And we even had a bit of time to spare for brekky. Bonus! Back at the check-in desk, however, came our next hurdle. "Have you guys got visas for Botswana? I think you might need visas." said the man at the desk. We were pretty sure we didn't, but the nice man just wanted to make sure. "I'll just check in the system." he said. Could the entry requirements for Botswana have changed as well due to the world cup? For what seemed like an eternity, the man tried to think of the country code for Botswana, asking his co-workers, searching around in his computer, till finally he confirmed that we did in fact not need a visa. Far from having time left for a nice sit-down breakfast, we now had to rush to pick up a sandwich, get through the long queue at customs and jog over to the boarding gate.
After that we enjoyed a nice flight to Johannesburg, during which we only managed to watch four movies, four less than I had aimed for. At least they included 'Zombieland'!

We spent our first week in South Africa staying with Kam's aunty and grandma in Pietermaritzburg, an hour west of Durban. As we were both getting over colds, we didn't get up to much, apart from stepping out for the occasional visit to the local mall, patronizing the lingerie store/internet cafe around the corner, eating lots of yummy home-cooked meals and getting psyched up for the soccer. Watching TV, we learnt all about Bafana Bafana, vuvuzelas and makarapas, terms I'm sure you're all familiar with by now. Adding to our education was Schuks Tshabalala's "Survival Guide to South Africa", which we enjoyed for a mere $2 a ticket at the local multiplex. Hosted by a white South African, made up to look like a black South African, the movie's a candid-camera style clip show, which was surprisingly provocational in its sendup of post-Apartheid South Africa. I'm not sure what was funnier, Schuks Tshabalala's pretending to beat up a beggar or setting up a squatter camp on the beach promenade of Cape Town to the intense dislike of the locals. Proving that comedy is universal, everyone in the audience, regardless of race, laughed hysterically. More than any of the other affirmations made by the South African media, this proved to us that the country had well and truly moved on from its dark past. We were not surprised to learn that the movie was funded by the South African Department of Transport.

---

Photos

Kiss my white a..
Spotted this gem at the Pietermaritzburg Voortrekker museum.

Comments

[Kez]

Smooth sailing?
Hi Flo and Kamini, What a great start to your trip! Made me think of Survivor or the Great American Race show.....good teamwork you two in order to get your flights sorted under that kind of pressure. The rest of the trip should be easy, right? Seriously though, it sounds like you are both having a great time and enjoying your trip. Florian....you will be pleased to know that I've been swimming twice since you left. And the water is finally warmer!!! Take care - Kez

[scott]

Sweet as Dudes.
Hey Guys, Good to hear you’re both having a relaxing time unwinding from all the hype before leaving. Kam, get use to Flo's close shaves with authority. Seems a prominent sticking point for Flo. Talked to Cherie yesterday, she said you both seemed to be enjoying the soccer. Obviously, none of you were cheering hard enough for the Soccer Roos. Glad Germany got knocked out. Stupid Octopus! In lead up to 2014 world cup I'm taking a Kangaroo to every soccer game in Canberra, in hope of building its Soccer Intuition. Then wham, my life savings will be handed over to TAB based on Skippies picks. Anyhow, Canberra is still cold and work is getting busy with EOFY (end of financial year) statements due dates looming. Liz is behaving, occasionally! Tomorrow we are meeting the immigrants from Cayman Islands at branch at the Benz's household. Looking forward to catching up, and it’s very nice of your mum to organise. End of July will be rounded out with a mini break in TCB (Tin Can Bay). Looking forward to RnR'ing. Anyway, better get to work. Keeping looking out for each other and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[me]

surprise ?
Hi Florian, hi Kamini, as if all could just go smoothly! No, there is always a surprise when you go travelling. All is good on my end. Glad you are having a wonderful time. Lots of Love to you two, me

[Lotti]

hello
Hey it is nice to read about your first adventure, I guess you will be going to Botswana then (hahaha). Very curious to see where this trip is going to take you. Looking foward to reading up on all your stories here. All is good over here in the Netherlands, it is actually really nice weather (almost like australian summer)..... enjoy your time in South Africa! Lotti